Side loading device for fork lift trucks

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a side loading fork lift device adapted to be used with fork lifts of a fork lift truck. The device comprises a pair of parallel fork lifts extending forwardly from a swing arm assembly which can rotate on a platform to the left or right. The platform comprises a pair of parallel sleeves adapted to engage the fork lifts of a truck. The device comprises several safety features such as means to secure the device to the truck, means to secure the swing are in a rotated position, leg stands on the device, and heels on the fork lifts for preventing any sliding of a load thereon.

United States Miles et al.

[111 asoezz [451 Nov. 26, 1974 SIDE LOADING DEVICE FOR F0 LEFT TRUCKSInventors: Ray P. Miles, Macedonia; Andrew E. Szucs, Fairview Park, bothof Ohio The Cooperloy Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio Filed: Apr. 3, 1973Appl. No: 347,573

Assignee:

U.S. Cl 214/620, 187/9, 214/730 Int. Cl B66f 9/06 Field of Search214/620, 730, 731, 750,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1967 Vik 214/620 1/1971 Green214/730 X l/l97l Miles et al. 214/620 2/1971 Willis 214/620 X 3,591,0287/1971 McClung 214/620 X 3,643,825 2/1972 Zane 214/620 X 3,705,65812/1972 Harris 214/620 Primary Examiner-Richard A. Schacher AssistantExaminer-Jeffrey V. Nase Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Millen, Raptes & White7] Ans'rt CT The invention relates to a side loading fork lift deviceadapted to be used with fork lifts of a fork lift truck. The devicecomprises a pair of parallel fork lifts extending forwardly from a swingarm assembly which can rotate on a platform to the left or right. Theplatform comprises a pair of parallel sleeves adapted to engage the forklifts of a truck. The device comprises several safety features such asmeans to secure the device to the truck, means to secure the swing arein a rotated position, leg stands on the device, and heels on the forklifts for preventing any sliding of a load thereon.

1 Claim, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEQ KEV 2 6 I974 SHEET 3? 5 PATENIE;KEY 26 i974 SHEET t Of 5 1 SIDE LOADING DEVICE FOR FORK LIFT TRUCKSBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a side-loadingdevice usable with fork lift trucks whereby side loading and unloadingis possible in narrow aisles.

Industrial vehicles are used for conveying pallet loads and the likefrom a platform or siding to a storage area and vice versa. The mostcommonly used vehicle is a fork lift truck since loads can be loaded orunloaded at differing heights on top of each other. However, the use offork lift trucks in narrow aisles of storage areas present problems inmaneuvering, since it is difficult to turn the truck so that the loadcan be discharged to the right or left of the narrow aisle.

Various devices have been proposed for solving the problem. Usually, thefork lift trucks are modified by mechanically or electrically operatedmeans whereby the forks can be turned to the left or right in a narrowaisle. However, these modifications comprise complicated elements whichadd materially to the cost of the fork lift truck.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention is to provide aside loading device, simple in design, economical, and easy toconstruct, which is capable of being easily attached to the fork liftsof a conventional fork lift truck. Another object of this invention isto provide a side loading device having a pair of parallel fork lifts,which are capable of being manually turned to the left or right in anarrow aisle.

Another object of this invention is to provide a side loading devicebeing provided with safety features adapted to prevent accidents inloading or unloading loads in a narrow aisle.

Other objects, advantages and features of the side loading device willbecome apparent from the following description and drawings of acomplete embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THEINVENTION In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the side loading device of theinvention illustrating its use mounted on a fork lift truck;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the side loading device;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the side loading device;

FIG. 4 is a section taken along line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the platform and sleeves forming a part of theside loading device;

FIG. 6 is a section taken along line 66 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a section taken along line 77 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the swing arm forming a part of the side loadingdevice;

FIG. 9 is a section taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the swing arm with the fork liftsattached.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally indicates a forklift truck of the counterbalance type comprising baloon wheels 11,steering mechanism 12, a vertical mast structure 13 of any suitablecharacter adapted to be traversed vertically by a pair of forwardlyextending fork lifts 14 and 14a by means of a conventional hydraulicsystem and controls (not shown). The fork lifts are adapted to engage aloaded pallet or the like for transport thereof from place to place.

It will be apparent that a disadvantage inherent in simple fork lifttrucks is the fact that the load may be loaded and unloaded only fromthe forward direction of the truck. Accordingly, loading and unloadingoperations of the loaded truck within narrow aisles of storage areas isdifficult.

The numeral 15 generally denotes the side loading device of thisinvention which is adapted to engage forks 14 and 14a of the fork lifttruck. The device comprises a sleeve platform structure generallydesignated by the numeral 16, a swing arm generally designated by thenumeral 17, and L-shaped forks l8 and 18a secured thereto. The swing armis adapted to rotate on the platform as will be described hereinafter.

The platform structure 16 comprises a pair of parallel hollow sleeves 19and 19a, adapted to receive and engage forks 14 and 14a of the truck,and a top plate member 20 connected across the tops of the sleeves as bywelding. Brace bars 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26 are welded to the plate20 and bars 21, 22, 24, and 26 are also welded to the sleeves. Bars 23and 25 are also welded to bar 24. Sleeves 19 and 19a can also beprovided with caps 27 and 27a to cover their open ends.

At the midsection of plate 20, there is provided an upstanding shaftupon which the swing arm 17 can rotate. The unitary shaft has foursections of different diameters, i.e., a threaded section 29, a section28 on which the swing arm can rotate, a section 30 extending through ahole 31 in plate 20 to which the shaft is welded, and a section 32extending below plate 20 and also welded thereto from the underside.Brace bars 22, 23, 25, and 26 are also welded to section 32 of theshaft.

The plate 20, sleeves 19 and 19a, brace bars 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, andthe shaft being all welded together result in arigid unitary platformstructure capable of providing adequate structural support for the swingarm 17 and loads carried thereon. Additional strength is also providedby gussets such as at 38.

The platform structure 16 is also provided with leg stands 33 and 33amounted to the undersides of sleeves 19 and 19a. The leg stands cancontact the ground when the side loading device is loaded on a truck andwhen it is not being transported, thereby holding the load level andproviding an additional safety measure.

Sleeves 19 and 19a have a fixed width adapted to accomodate the widestforks provided with fork lift trucks. However, difficulties areencountered in using the side loading device with forks having narrowerwidths. Accordingly, the sleeves are provided with means to accomodatenarrower forks. Blocks 34 and 34a are welded to the sections of thesleeves 19 and 19a. The blocks are provided with threaded holes 35 and35a. As shown in FIG. 5 only with sleeve 19a, a spacer bar 36 is adaptedto be easily fitted within sleeve 19a and secured to block 34a by meansof screw 37. Similarly, a spacer bar can be inserted in sleeve 19. The

spacer bars can be of different widths toaccomodate corresponding widthsof the forks of fork lift trucks.

Platform 16 is also provided with an angle member 39 with an eyelet 40.A chain 41 containing a grab hook 42 is attached to the eyelet. The grabhook 42 can be hooked to any part of the fork lift truck, e.g., the mast13 to secure the side loading device to the forks 14 and 14a of thetruck as an added safety feature.

Holes 43, 44, and 45 are provided through plate and their function willbe come apparent hereinafter.

The swing arm 17 is adapted to engage section 28 of the shaft ofplatform 16 and rotate horizontally through an arc of at least 180. Theswing arm comprises a framework of vertical structural members 46, 47,48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, and 55 welded to horizontal plate 56.Vertical plates 57 and 58 are welded at each front side of the swing armand are further secured with gussets 58a and 58b. Plates 57 and 58 areeach provided with a plurality of holes 59 which match a similarplurality of holes in fork lifts l8 and 18a. Each of the fork lifts issecured to the respective plate by means of nuts 61 and bolts 62.

A hub 63, aligned with hole 64 in plate 55, is welded to plate 55 andalso the structural members 46, 50, and 51. Hub 63 is adapted to engagesection 28 of the shaft of platform 16 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. A bolt64 threaded on section 29 of the shaft, thrust bushings 65 and 66, andbushing 67 secure the hub to the shaft and allows rotation of the huband the swing arm on the shaft.

Plate 55 of the swing arm is provided on the underneath side with acircular bearing padshim 68 (FIG. 4) to which a replaceable, circular,bearing pad 69 is secured by means of flat head cap screws 70 (FIG. 4).The swing arm 17 can rotate to the left or right of the platform 16 ashearing pad 69 traverses a circular path on the surface of plate 20. Thecircular path traversed on plate 20 is maintained free of obstructionsand can be suitably treated to reduce frictional wear on the bearingpad.

To provide further safety in the handling of loads with the side loadingdevice, means are provided to secure the swing arm in the left, right,forward or intermediate position. Holes 43, 44, and 45 in plate 20 areadapted to line up with a retaining pin hole and collar 71 in plate 56of the swing arm. Thus, when the swing arm is in the extreme position tothe left (i.e., 90 to the left) in FIG. ll, it can be secured in thatposition by inserting a retaining pin 72 through holes 71 and 43.Similarly, the swing arm can be secured in a forward position (as shown)with holes 71 and 44, and in an extreme right position (90 to the right)with holes 71 and 45. The retaining pin 72 is secured to the swing armby a chain 73 suitably attached to hole 73a in structural member 50.

The fork lifts 18 and 18a, being removable can be interchanged withvarious lengths of forks are desired. A further safety aspect of theforks is present by providing heels 74 near the end of each fork. Theheels retain the loads on the forks and prevent possibly sliding of theload from the forks.

The simplicity of the side loading device makes the operation thereofsimple while at the same time reliably and durably. When it is desiredto use a fork lift truck in narrow aisles and the like, one needs onlyto engage the device to truck forks l4 and 14a by means of sleeves l9and 19a. In the event, the truck forks l4 and 14a are narrower thandesired for use with the sleeves of the device, the spacer bars 36 canbe inserted in the sleeves to provide a more snug engagement with thenarrower forks. The device is further secured to the truck forks byattaching grab hook 42 to the mast of the truck.

The device is at once ready for use and when it is desired to pick up aload in a narrow aisle, one needs only to manually turn the swing arm 17to any angle necessary to engage or discharge a pallet load or the likewith forks 33 and 33a. When the swing arm is at the desired angle (e.g.,in the extreme right position) the retaining pin 72 may be inserted tosecure the swing arm and thereby facilitate movement of the load forstorage.

The securing of the swing arm by pin 72 is especially advantageous whentransporting loads from one station to another, whereby the swing arm isprevented from movement in its circular path while the truck is moving.

Since the swing arm may be rotated at least 180, one can pick up ordischarge loads to the right or left of the truck. The rear wheels ofthe truck are normally turned by the steering wheel. Thus, maneuveringof the load in and out of storage is simplified since the load isselfaligning. Thus, in order to deposit a load in a storage area to theright of a narrow aisle, one would turn the swing arm 17 to align itwith the space into which the load is to be deposited. Thereafter, theload is guided into the area by jockeying the truck forwardly andbackwardly while turning the rear wheels, whereby the truck iseventually turned towards the area in which the load is to be deposited.To pick up a load out of storage, the procedure is reversed.

It is also understood that the truck may load or unload forwardly of thetruck in the usual manner when employing the device. Another apparentadvantage of the device is in facilitating a loaded truck to negotiateturns from one narrow aisle to another.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been described, it isto understood that the invention is not limited to the specific featuresshown and various changes may be made in its construction.

What is claimed is:

1. A side loading fork lift device adapted for use with permanentlyforward extending fork lifts of a fork lift truck and the likecomprising:

a. a pair of horizontal, parallel fork receiving members and plate meanssecured between and across the tops of said receiving members to form aplatform;

b. rigid shaft means centrally disposed vertically on said platform;

c. a rotatable swing arm assembly including horizontal plate meansdisposed on said platform forwardly of said shaft means, and comprisinghub means adapted to securely engage and to rotate at least on saidshaft means;

(I. an arcuate bearing surface disposed on the underside of said swingarm plate means adapted to contact the surface of said plateform andmove thereon in an arcuate path;

e. a pair of parallel fork means mounted on and disposed forwardly ofsaid rotatable swing arm assemy;

f. chain and hook means secured to the rear of said platform anddetachably securable to said truck,

6 assembly adapted to be placed through matched hole means and therebyretain said swing arm assembly in a desired position on said platform;

. heel means disposed within the extremities of said parallel forkreceiving members to assist in retaining loads therein;

. leg stands disposed on the undersides of said fork receiving members.

1. A side loading fork lift device adapted for use with permanentlyforward extending fork lifts of a fork lift truck and the likecomprising: a. a pair of horizontal, parallel fork receiving members andplate means secured between and across the tops of said receivingmembers to form a platform; b. rigid shaft means centrally disposedvertically on said platform; c. a rotatable swing arm assembly includinghorizontal plate means disposed on said platform forwardly of said shaftmeans, and comprising hub means adapted to securely engage and to rotateat least 180* on said shaft means; d. an arcuate bearing surfacedisposed on the underside of said swing arm plate means adapted tocontact the surface of said plateform and move thereon in an arcuatepath; e. a pair of parallel fork means mounted on and disposed forwardlyof said rotatable swing arm assembly; f. chain and hook means secured tothe rear of said platform and detachably securable to said truck,whereby said device is retained on said fork lifts of said truck; g.said fork receiving members including means adapted to detachably securespacer means within said receiving members, whereby forks of a trucknarrower than said receiving members can be received and snuglyretained; h. a circular series of holes in said platform each adapted tomatch with a hole in said swing arm plate means, retaining pin means onsaid swing arm assembly adapted to be placed through matched hole meansand thereby retain said swing arm assembly in a desired position on saidplatform; i. heel means disposed within the extremities of said parallelfork receiving members to assist in retaining loads therein; j. legstands disposed on the undersides of said fork receiving members.